Most of us would assume that companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook—often grouped under the acronym FAANG—are virtually immune to security vulnerabilities. With their vast resources, top-tier talent, and rigorous testing processes, it’s easy to think that these tech giants are impenetrable. However, the truth is far more complex. Even the most secure systems can have hidden flaws, and it’s often through bug bounty programs that these critical vulnerabilities are uncovered before they can be exploited.
In June 2019, Apple introduced “Sign in with Apple,” a feature designed to enhance user privacy by allowing people to log into third-party apps without revealing their personal email addresses. The feature quickly became mandatory for apps that offer other social login options like Facebook or Google, making it a critical component of the Apple ecosystem.
“Sign in with Apple” works similarly to OAuth 2.0, a widely used authorization framework, and provides users with the option to either share their real email address with apps or use an anonymized relay email generated by Apple. This feature was touted as a more secure alternative to traditional login methods, further solidifying Apple’s reputation as a leader in user privacy and security.
In April 2020, Bhavuk Jain, a security researcher, discovered a severe vulnerability in the “Sign in with Apple” feature. This flaw was particularly alarming because it could have allowed an attacker to take over user accounts on third-party apps that implemented the feature without additional security checks. The vulnerability involved the improper validation of JSON Web Tokens (JWTs) used during the sign-in process.
Jain found that by exploiting this flaw, an attacker could forge a valid JWT for any email ID, effectively allowing them to bypass authentication and gain unauthorized access to a victim’s account. The potential for damage was enormous—this vulnerability could have been used to hijack accounts on popular services like Dropbox, Spotify, Airbnb, and more.
Had this vulnerability been discovered by a malicious actor instead of an ethical hacker, the consequences could have been catastrophic. Imagine the fallout if attackers had gained control over millions of user accounts across multiple platforms. Personal data could have been exposed, leading to widespread identity theft, financial fraud, and a significant erosion of trust in both Apple and the affected third-party services.
Fortunately, Jain responsibly disclosed the vulnerability to Apple, which acted swiftly to patch the flaw before it could be exploited. For his efforts, Jain was awarded a $100,000 bounty under Apple’s Security Bounty program—a small price to pay compared to the potential financial and reputational damage that could have resulted from a large-scale breach.
This incident serves as a powerful reminder that even the most well-protected systems can have vulnerabilities. If a company like Apple, renowned for its commitment to security, can have a critical flaw in one of its key features, it’s clear that no organization is entirely immune. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this is a crucial lesson. You don’t need to be a tech giant to have serious vulnerabilities—any organization can be a target.
Implementing a bug bounty program can be a proactive way to discover and fix these issues before they turn into major problems. By engaging with a global community of ethical hackers, companies can gain insights that might not be apparent to their internal teams. Bug bounty programs provide continuous security assessments, tapping into diverse expertise to identify potential threats. This approach is not only cost-effective but also essential for maintaining the security and integrity of your systems.
Don’t wait for a breach to happen—strengthen your security today with the power of bug bounty.
CyberDart Team